1999 Nicolas Catena Zapata
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Tasting notes
(13.8% alcohol; 6.0 g/l acidity; 3.45 pH): Healthy dark red. Highly aromatic scents of dark plum, chocolate and smoke. Rounder and sweeter than the 1997 bottling but showing a bit less lift and detail than the earlier vintage. The plum and chocolate notes carry through onto the palate. Finishes with good density and length, an intriguing saline note and chewy, ripe tannins. (There was no 1998 bottling as this was a disastrous El Niño vintage in Argentina during which steady rainfall led to rot before the fruit ripened properly. In fact, Catena bottled only their inexpensive, entry-level Alamos wines in '98.)
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Pierre Rovani
More reviews and scores
Nicolas Catena's flagship wine bears his name. A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Malbec, the 1999 Nicolas Catena Zapata bursts from the glass with spice-laden blackberries. While it does not have the 1997's blockbuster fruit, it reveals huge depth to its graceful, seamless personality. Medium-bodied and satin-textured, this elegant, flavorful wine displays clove-tinged black cherries, jammy blackberries, and hints of licorice whose flavors linger throughout its supple, exceedingly long finish. Projected maturity: now-2015+. Importer: Billington Distributors, Inc., Springfield, VA; tel. (703) 455-4700
About the producer
Bodega Catena Zapata has been instrumental both in the development of fine wine production in Argentina and in realising the full potential of the Malbec grape.